Taking Pictures Without Parental Permission Not Against the Law

A Maine lawmaker wants to make taking pictures of children without parental permission a crime.

The reason this has become a issue is because the public was outraged by a registered sex offender who was taking random pictures of children.

The second week of January 2018, Augusta police responded to multiple complaints that a registered sex offender was taking pictures of children shopping. The majority of the photographs were of young girls. This was done at local stores. The offender posted the pictures online, however, police stated the sex offender had not committed a crime.

This response shocked and angered Maine Republican Representative Matt Pouliot. He is sponsoring a bill that would make taking random pictures of children without parental permission a Class D crime for registered sex offenders.

As a Class D crime, offenders could face up to a year in jail and a $2,000 fine. Pouliot stated, “…This is a problem statewide that needs to be addressed.”

There is no current law in place protecting children from having their pictures taken without their parents’ permission, however, police are still urging parents to call police and report the act.

Written by Jeanette Smith

Source:

13 WGME: Proposed bill would make taking pictures of children without parental consent a crime